Chapter 13 : Dream

it was so vivid, so real. I was back on that battlefield again, the sounds of war echoing in my ears. I could see the smoke rising in the distance, the clashing of swords, the cries of the wounded. But then, everything shifted. The scene changed, and I found myself standing by the Ganga River in Varanasi. The water was dark, swirling around me as if trying to pull me under. I felt myself drowning again, just like that night.

Suddenly, something caught my eye. A glimmer in the water. It was the locket that Dadi Sa had given me. It was floating, bobbing along the current. I reached for it, but before I could touch it, I saw someone pull it from the water. Then The figure emerged from the shadows, and my heart skipped a beat. It was her. Tanu.

She smiled at me, her eyes full of warmth and understanding. And then, she reached out, intertwining her hand with mine. She pulled me along, and we began walking away. My heart twisted with desperation. And then she started walking away .

“No, don’t go! Please, Tanu, don’t leave me!” I cried out, but she didn’t look back. She just kept walking, her smile fading into the distance. “I’ll be left alone. Please don’t leave me. I want to go back. I don’t want to live in this era. I can’t…”

I reached out, but the scene dissolved before I could grasp anything. I was left standing alone, the emptiness of the river and the loss of my best friend crushing me. I felt myself falling, but then, suddenly, I was awake.

I gasped for breath, disoriented. My surroundings were unfamiliar, and my body felt heavy. But then, I felt warmth envelop me, a strong, steady presence holding me close. I didn’t have to look to know who it was. It was Vikrant. His arms around me were comforting, like a lifeline in the midst of a storm.

I didn’t pull away. I couldn’t. I just let myself stay there, feeling the comfort of his embrace, and for the first time in days, I felt a sense of safety. The tears I had been holding back finally spilled over, and I couldn’t help but cry, my body shaking with the weight of everything I had lost.

Vikrant didn’t say anything. He just held me tighter, his warmth seeping into me. And for a moment, I felt like I could breathe again.

After a while, I finally calmed down, my sobs turning into quiet sniffles. I pulled back slightly, but I didn’t let go. I looked up at him, and his gaze was soft, almost tender. It was strange. Why did I feel safe in his arms? I had never expected this from him.

“Are you okay?” he asked softly, his voice low and gentle.

I nodded, still holding onto him. My mind kept drifting back to the dream, to the locket, to Tanu. Could it be possible that the locket was the reason I was here?  I remembered what Dadi Sa had said when she gave it to me: “It’s time for a new life. It’s your turn.” She had known.

I sighed, my throat dry. The weight of it all hit me again, and I coughed lightly. Vikrant was quick to react, reaching for a glass of water and handing it to me.

“Here,” he said, his voice laced with concern. “Drink this.”

I took the glass, but as I tried to drink, I accidentally choked on the water.  I was wearing his clothes . It splashed across his face, and I looked up in horror.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry!” I exclaimed, reaching for a towel to help him clean up.

Vikrant just stared at me, his expression a mix of shock and amusement. “Good morning to you too,” he said, wiping his face.

I couldn’t help but chuckle nervously, embarrassed by my clumsiness. “Why am I in your clothes?” I asked, glancing down at myself. I was wearing one of his shirts, the fabric loose and comfortable.

He raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t have any girls’ clothes, so I had to make do. But I’ll arrange something for you.” He paused, looking at me closely. “Are you feeling okay?”

I nodded, but then my curiosity got the better of me. “How long was I sleeping?”

Vikrant’s face darkened, his jaw tightening. “Five days,” he said, his voice tinged with worry. “I’ve been worried about you the whole time, calling doctors, making sure you were okay.”

“Five days?” I repeated, shocked. “Where am I?”

He hesitated for a moment before answering. “You’re at my place.”

I hummed, processing his words. “What happened?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

Vikrant looked at me, confusion flickering in his eyes. “Wait… you don’t remember anything?”

I sighed, my head aching. “I remember. But some things…  it’s all so blurry.”

Without thinking, I reached up and smacked him lightly on the head. “You should have told me sooner, or I would not have choked the water on your face , ” I muttered, though I couldn’t hide the small smile that tugged at my lips.

Vikrant grinned at me, his eyes softening. “You’re back to your old self, huh?”

Before I could respond, the door opened, and Aryan, Rihan, and Karan walked in, all looking worried but trying to hide it with playful banter.

“Good to see you’re awake, Aaradhya!” Aryan said with a grin, his eyes scanning me for any signs of distress. “How are you feeling?”

“Better,” I replied, offering a weak smile.

Karan raised an eyebrow. “You sure? You don’t look like you’re feeling better.”

I rolled my eyes, but I could see how hard they were all trying to make me feel better. They didn’t want to see me sad, and it made me appreciate them more than I could say.

“Can I have my phone?” I asked suddenly, breaking the moment.

Vikrant handed it to me without a word, and as soon as I unlocked it, the screen lit up with a notification. I froze when I saw the name.

Daksh.

Vikrant’s eyes narrowed, and I could feel the tension in the room. He was jealous. I could tell by the way his jaw clenched and his gaze hardened.

I hesitated before picking up the call. “Hello?”

“Where are you?” Daksh’s voice came through, smooth and insistent.

“I’m at Vikrant’s place,” I said, my voice steady. “I’m fine, don’t worry.”

“Send me the address. I’m coming,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I sighed. “you need to bring Aaradhya’s laptop too,” I added, feeling a weight settle in my chest. “They deserve to know the truth.”

Daksh’s sigh was heavy, but he agreed. I ended the call, and before I could put my phone down, the boys were already teasing me.

“Who’s this Daksh guy?” Karan asked, wiggling his eyebrows. “Sounds like someone’s got competition.”

I could see Vikrant’s jaw tightening again, and I realized then that maybe I had started feeling the same way about him. But I couldn’t allow myself to focus on that right now. I had to find the locket. If it was really here, in this era, I had to find it.

“Did you hear about Daksh Rathore?” I asked the boys, my voice suddenly serious.

They all nodded, and then the realization hit them. “Wait, Rathore?” Aryan asked, eyes wide. “And Oberoi’s number one competitor in the business world?”

I nodded. “Tanu told me once.”

As I thought about Tanu, a wave of sadness hit me. I could feel the tears threatening to spill, but I held them back. Vikrant must have sensed my shift in mood because before I knew it, he was pulling me into his arms again.

“Come on,” he said softly. “Let’s get you freshened up.”

I looked at him in shock. “What? You’re carrying me?”

Vikrant smirked, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “I know you can walk, but I like carrying you around.”

I narrowed my eyes, but he didn’t give me a chance to protest. He scooped me up effortlessly, carrying me to the bathroom. The bathroom was luxurious, with marble floors and a massive bathtub that looked like it belonged in a spa.

“Get freshened up,” he said, his voice low and intense. “And call me when you’re done.”

I stared at him, my heart racing for reasons I couldn’t quite explain. There was something about the way he held me, the way he cared for me, that made everything feel so… real.

But I couldn’t let myself fall for him.

Still, as he left the bathroom, I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if I did.